Eye-Catching Structures in the Katipunan, Quezon City Schools

With its wide array of lifestyle choices for one's convenience and various open spaces to simply breathe and feel right at home, Quezon City, particularly the Katipunan area, continues to be a top choice of address for most families with their school kids in mind — more so as it is home to some of the country's best educational institutions. A visit to these school campuses may give guests a glimpse of its excellence and pride, especially when they notice these architecturally-remarkable structures.

Photo by Ramon F. Velasquez

Quezon Hall (University of the Philippines Diliman)Passing through the main entrance of the University of the Philippines Diliman campus along University Avenue, the grand Quezon Hall is hard to miss, given that it serves as the stunning backdrop of the iconic Oblation statue. Designed by National Artist for Architecture Juan Nakpil, the hall has neoclassic elements found in the gigantic pillars at the heart of the structure--the same style shown in other known campus buildings like the library (Gonzalez Hall), the College of Engineering (Melchor Hall), and the College of Liberal Arts (Palma Hall). Currently, Quezon Hall houses many of the administrative offices for the entire university.

Church of the Gesu (Ateneo de Manila University)The all-white pyramid-shaped structure sitting in the middle and the highest point of the Catholic university continues to be a landmark church of the school where major Eucharistic celebrations from thanksgiving masses to Simbang Gabi are held. Notably modern in style, this house of worship's triangular structure designed by architect Jose Pedro Recio signifies the Holy Trinity as well as embodies the three-fold ideals of the institution. Natural light and air easily circulate inside the church because of the windows and vents in place. Gesu's unique interiors are also worth checking out.

Henry Sy, Sr. Innovation Center (Miriam College)Just a few steps away from the school entrance gates facing Katipunan Avenue, this innovation hub donated by its namesake foundation is the country's first integrated "makerspace" for students, a place where they can incubate and realize ideas. Opened in 2016, the new center envisions to immerse Miriam College’s students and faculty in 21st century disciplines through its eight connected and creative learning spaces: fabrication laboratory, instrumentation laboratory, engineering and electronics laboratory, multimedia laboratory, performance laboratory, kitchen and café, play loft, and "innovatrium." According to the all-white structure's architect Ed Calma, the design was inspired from a water ripple created from a drop, “where innovative ideas are formed and would ripple outward.”*